New Hampshire Senior News Notes

Jeanette Cheney, a 101-year-old resident of the Westwood Center in Keene, lights the ceremonial torch at the seventh annual Senior Olympics at Applewood Rehabilitation Center in Winchester.

Maple Suites offers big band dance, Apple Festival DOVER — Maple Suites, an independent senior living community located at 30 Holiday Drive, will host a big band dance from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and an Apple Festival from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21.

Big band music enthusiasts are welcome to bring their dance shoes to Maple Suites' Big Band Cabaret and take a spin on the dance floor or just kick back and tap their toes.

Those who RSVP in advance are invited to a light supper at 5:30 p.m.

The Apple Festival will include music, indoor "apple picking," chef-prepared apple dishes, apple cider, tours of Maple Suites and raffle prizes. Seniors in the Seacoast area and their families are invited to attend the festival, which will be held rain or shine.

For more information or to RSVP for either activity, call Maple Suites at 742-8820.

Families First kicks off new seniors programs

PORTSMOUTH — Two new programs for seniors, caregivers and people planning for their senior years begin this month at Families First Health & Support Center's Community Campus cafeteria, 100 Campus Drive.

An Alzheimer's Cafe will meet for the first time from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, and then the fourth Monday each month.

The cafe is a place for people who have dementia, along with their care partners and family members, to socialize in a relaxed, casual setting with others experiencing similar circumstances.

The cafe is free, although donations will be accepted.

Alzheimer's Cafes already exist in Manchester, Dover, Exeter and Atkinson. The new Portsmouth group is sponsored by Families First, the Mark Wentworth Home, ServiceLink and the city of Portsmouth. For more details, contact Susan at 969-5318 or sturner@familiesfirstseacoast.org.

Families First also will offer three free "Senior Years" workshops from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, starting next week.Sept. 25: "Starting the Conversation and Caring for the Caregiver" will explore how to begin the conversation with aging loved ones regarding their safety and planning for their future. It will consider the emotional and logistical challenges that face adult caretakers and cover issues including driving, support for caretakers, home safety, legal concerns and senior care living options.Oct. 2: "Living with Dementia and Caring for the Caretaker" will provide information about the disease, look at care concerns and options and identify emotional challenges that affect the caretaker. It will cover home safety and driving concerns; getting into their world; how to positively interact; caretaker options and involving the family; and legal and financial considerations.Oct. 9: "Embracing and Empowering Your Retirement" will teach skills and strategies and start to identify the plans that will make retirement fulfilling, rewarding and productive. It will cover work, leisure, health, personal development and relationships.

Advance signup is required for the workshops. For more information or to sign up, call 422-8208 ext. 2 or go to FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

The events included wheelchair slalom, name that tune, horseshoes, bowling and team event darts.

Don Rabun, the state's long-term care ombudsman, spoke at opening ceremonies about celebrating life and being active. U.S. veteran Bernard Vigneault from Pheasant Wood Center in Peterborough raised the flag as Applewood LNA Ruth Cushing and Shauna Crosby sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."

The eldest member of each team participated in the passing of the flame, then the eldest resident overall, 101-year-old Jeanette Cheney from Westwood Center in Keene, lighted the ceremonial torch.

As the events came to a close, a barbecue lunch was served while the Early Times band performed.

At closing ceremonies, state Sen. Molly Kelly addressed the crowd and presented medals to the winners. Pheasant Wood Center claimed the most gold medals, including in the team event of darts, name that tune and horseshoes. Every participant went home with an Olympic shirt, a sport bottle and a participant medal.

Also participating were residents of Bedford Hills Center in Bedford, Crestwood Center in Milford, Elms Center in Milford, Keene Center in Keene, Langdon Place of Keene, Langdon Place of Nashua, Maplewood Nursing Home and Assisted Living in Westmoreland, Thompson House Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Brattleboro, Vt., Woodward Home in Keene and Vernon Advent Christian Home in Vernon, Vt.

Home Instead offers free workshop on Alzheimer's

CONCORD — In recognition of September as World Alzheimer's Month, Home Instead Senior Care's office serving central New Hampshire is offering a free workshop for family members to help them deal with the challenging behaviors that can result from Alzheimer's and other dementias and to offer specific solutions for the many common issues that arise.

The workshop is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Northeast Delta Dental, 2 Delta Drive, second floor. To sign up, call 668-6868.Also, a free smartphone app developed by Home Instead Senior Care will be available starting today. Families can use the Alzheimer's and Other Dementias Daily Helper app to search behaviors and help find solutions when they have to react quickly to a situation.

Home Instead also offers a kit with an at-a-glance collection of information, tips and resources to help handle difficult situations, avoid household accidents, encourage engagement and prevent caregiver stress.

LITTLETON — The Littleton Area Senior Center, 77 Riverglen Lane, will host a ServiceLink presentation at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, on Medicare D open enrollment, which starts in October.Mary Beth Donohue, a Medicare counselor and certified Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) coordinator, will talk about enrollment, changes in plans and coverage, and set up appointments for open enrollment.

The center also plans a one-day cribbage tournament at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27. Prizes will be awarded. To sign up, stop at the front desk.